scholarly journals How do we distinguish termite stone lines from artefact horizons? A challenge for geoarchaeology in tropical Australia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike Smith ◽  
Ingrid Ward ◽  
Ian Moffat
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Human Occupation ◽  
Tropical Australia

Can we distinguish stone lines created by termite bioturbation from genuine artefact horizons? This is a challenge for field archaeology and geoarchaeology in northern Australia, where termites are abundant. We review published data to (a) present a model of the evolution of stone lines and (b) develop guidelines for recognizing these bioturbation products in archaeological contexts. In case studies, we examine Madjedbebe and Nauwalabila, two sites in northern Australia. The early occupation levels at these sites are pivotal to ideas about initial human occupation of the Australian landmass but there are claims these are unrecognized stone lines. Our assessment is that neither Madjedbebe nor Nauwalabila contain termite stone lines, although both sites may have complex geomorphic and taphonomic histories.

Gastrointestinal helminth parasites of the common wallaroo or euro, Osphranter robustus (Gould) (Marsupialia: Macropodidae) from Australia

2020 ◽  
Vol 94 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Beveridge
Keyword(s):  
Parasite Species ◽  
Parasite Fauna ◽  
Eastern Coast ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Helminth Parasites ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Gastrointestinal Helminth ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
The Common ◽  
Specific Species

Abstract The gastrointestinal helminth parasites of 170 common wallaroos or euros, Osphranter robustus (Gould), collected from all mainland states in which the species occurs as well as the Northern Territory, are presented, including previously published data. A total of 65 species of helminths were encountered, including four species of anoplocephalid cestodes found in the bile ducts and small intestine, and 61 species of strongylid nematodes, all but two of which occurring in the stomach, and with the remainder occurring in the terminal ileum, caecum and colon. Among the mainland subspecies of O. robustus, 52 species of helminths were encountered in O. r. robustus, compared with 30 species in O. r. woodwardi and 35 species in O. r. erubescens. Of the parasite species encountered, only 17 were specific to O. robustus, the remaining being shared with sympatric host species. Host-specific species or species occurring in O. robustus at a high prevalence can be classified as follows: widely distributed; restricted to northern Australia; restricted to the northern wallaroo, O. r. woodwardi; found only in the euro, O. r. erubescens; found essentially along the eastern coast of Australia, primarily in O. r. robustus; and species with highly limited regional distributions. The data currently available suggest that the acquisition of a significant number of parasites is due to co-grazing with other macropodids, while subspeciation in wallaroos as well as climatic variables may have influenced the diversification of the parasite fauna.

Thermoluminescence dating of a 50,000-year-old human occupation site in northern Australia

Nature ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 345 (6271) ◽  
pp. 153-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard G. Roberts ◽  
Rhys Jones ◽  
M. A. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Northern Australia ◽  
Human Occupation ◽  
Thermoluminescence Dating

Case Studies of Wetland Filtration of Mine Waste Water in Constructed and Naturally Occurring Systems in Northern Australia

1994 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 257-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. N. Noller ◽  
P. H. Woods ◽  
B. J. Ross
Keyword(s):  
Waste Water ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Mine Waste ◽  
Waste Rock ◽  
Typha Domingensis ◽  
Gold Mine ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Runoff Water ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Mine Sites

A problem common to mines operating in the tropics is the disposal of water, which may be alkaline, acidic, or contain toxic elements such as arsenic or cadmium. The availability of year-round water supply at many mine sites in Northern Australia, particularly from pit dewatering, together with the monsoonal climate, provide appropriate conditions for the formation of natural wetlands or establishment of artificial wetlands. Wetland species (particularly Typha spp.) flourish in the presence of flowing or shallow water from dewatering, and data collected from natural and experimental wetlands show reduction of metal concentrations by wetland filtration of mine waste water. The following case studies are considered:Constructed wetlands, used to remove uranium from waste rock runoff before release to an adjacent creek provide a means of “polishing” runoff water prior to discharge to the creek.Creek-Billabong systems with existing wetlands adjacent to mine sites adventitiously “filter” waters discharged from mine sites. Trace elements in dewatering water from a gold mine discharged into an oxbow show reduction of elemental concentrations downstream, compared to discharge water.Naturally generated wetlands at several Northern Territory mines have developed along channels for discharge of pit water, with ingress of Typha domingensis. Such wetlands, associated with dewatering, have been examined at four mines, some with acid mine drainage. Water quality measured after wetland treatments shows reductions in concentrations of various heavy metals and sulfate. Volunteer Typha domingensis grows and spreads in shallow flowing channels, providing an inherent “filtration” of the water.Natural swamplands are incorporated in the waste rock runoff management design of a new gold mine, to reduce potentially high arsenic levels in the waste water. Constructed and naturally occurring wetlands may be used in the treatment of most mine waste waters to achieve levels of constituents acceptable for discharge to the surrounding environment.

Themes in the prehistory of tropical Australia

Antiquity ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 69 (265) ◽  
pp. 747-768 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Morwood ◽  
D. R. Hobbs
Keyword(s):  
Rock Art ◽  
Distinctive Pattern ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Local Sequence ◽  
Arnhem Land ◽  
Tropical Australia

The wetter tropical zones of northern Australia are linked by their monsoonal climates. Their archaeology shows its own distinctive pattern as well, and rock-art is an important source of evidence and insight. This study focusses on a part of Queensland, setting this local sequence alongside Arnhem Land (reported by the paper of Taçon & Brockwell) and in the northern pattern as a whole.

Habitat use of the introduced cane toad (Rhinella marina) and native frog species in tropical Australia

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 531-540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Mayer ◽  
Gregory P. Brown ◽  
Barbara Zimmermann ◽  
Matthew J. Greenlees ◽  
Richard Shine
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Cane Toad ◽  
Rhinella Marina ◽  
Frog Species ◽  
Tropical Australia ◽  
Reducing Activity

Abstract:The ecological impacts of introduced species can reveal mechanisms underlying habitat selection and behaviour. We investigated the habitat use of native frog species and the invasive cane toads (Rhinella marina) in tropical northern Australia to measure overlap in habitat use, and to test if the presence of the cane toad influences frog behaviour. Native frog species and the cane toad both preferred habitats close to water and unvegetated holes. However, native frogs were found further from water (on average 19.4 m) than were toads (on average 12.6 m), and preferred areas with higher vegetation (8–50 cm) than did toads, which were more abundant in vegetation lower than 8 cm. For both types of anuran, the next neighbour was more often of the same type (89% in frogs, 52% in toads) than expected by chance (observed ratio: 75% frogs vs 25% toads), reflecting these differences in habitat use. Our counts of frog abundance increased on average 14.5% in areas from which we removed cane toads temporarily. This result suggests that cane toads inhibit the activity of native anurans either by inducing avoidance, or by reducing activity. By modifying the behaviour and spatial distribution of native taxa, invasive cane toads may curtail activities such as feeding and breeding.

Freshwater-flow requirements of estuarine fisheries in tropical Australia: a review of the state of knowledge and application of a suggested approach

2005 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie B. Robins ◽  
Ian A. Halliday ◽  
Jonathan Staunton-Smith ◽  
David G. Mayer ◽  
Michelle J. Sellin
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
River Flow ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Freshwater Flow ◽  
Suggested Approach ◽  
History Information ◽  
Tropical Areas ◽  
Tropical Australia ◽  
Research Questions

The freshwater-flow requirements of estuarine fisheries in tropical areas are reviewed, with reference to species important to fisheries in northern Australia. Fisheries production, in terms of catch, is often elevated during, or as a consequence of, years with higher river flow, but the causality of these relationships often remains unproven. Scientific information on the freshwater-flow requirements important to fisheries production is increasingly being sought during the planning, allocation and management of water resources within Australia and in other countries around the world. Frequently, such advice is based on the analysis of catch and freshwater flow (or rainfall), or on life-history information. Clarifying fisheries-specific goals of water management would assist in prioritising research into the freshwater-flow requirements of estuarine fisheries. A framework that integrates life-history information and correlative analyses is suggested to assist in understanding the freshwater-flow requirements of estuarine fisheries. The framework is also useful in identifying knowledge gaps and pertinent research questions. The approach is illustrated through its application to identifying key freshwater-flow events likely to be important for fisheries production in a dry tropical estuary in Queensland, Australia.

scholarly journals The biosecurity risks of seeds in a botanic garden context

2021 ◽  
pp. 147-162
Author(s):  
Sara Redstone ◽  
Adrian Fox
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Botanic Garden ◽  
Seed Systems ◽  
Long Term Storage ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Awareness Raising ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Term Storage

Seeds present a naturally occurring package of germplasm with ideal attributes for collection, distribution and, in the case of orthodox seed, long term storage. From a phytosanitary perspective seeds are often considered a relatively low-risk option for movement of germplasm across borders. Most published data are concerned with diseases of commercial crops and little is known about the risks associated with wild collected, non-commercial seeds. However, there is demonstrable risk associated with the movement of any plant germplasm which can pose a risk to both crops and the wider environment. Presented here are a discussion on seed standards and the difference between seed borne and seed transmitted pathogens, with case studies presented to highlight the risks associated with informal seed systems and wild collected seeds in particular. Additionally, suggestions on how to address phytosanitary issues are presented including awareness raising measures aimed at improving biosecurity procedures during collection and before long-term storage of seed accessions.

scholarly journals Human occupation of northern Australia by 65,000 years ago

Nature ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 547 (7663) ◽  
pp. 306-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Clarkson ◽  
Zenobia Jacobs ◽  
Ben Marwick ◽  
Richard Fullagar ◽  
Lynley Wallis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Northern Australia ◽  
Human Occupation

scholarly journals CASE STUDIES – A TOOL FOR LEARNING

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jim Graham ◽  
David Kurz
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Analysis ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Undergraduate Education ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Design Tools ◽  
Modern Design ◽  
Life Long Learning ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Undergraduate Programs

The Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board requires broadly-based undergraduate programs that develop technical awareness, motivation, confidence, teamwork and life-long learning. These objectives can be reached in both undergraduate and postgraduate courses using projects based on case studies. The projects use published data and records of performance that students can reproduce using modern design tools and numerical analysis. The paper includes examples of projects in the subject area of geotechnical engineering. Case studies are becoming increasingly valuable as employers and licensing authorities move toward a combination of broadly-based undergraduate education and more specialized postgraduate or in-practice training.

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